Hi Everybody, Little more then week ago I received my Zen Torii Mk III. From that moment I listen to music for most of my free time and I have it a lot, because my leg is broken :( Hopefully with my new friend (ZEN), recovering time will not turn in too long and painful. Life must go on and nothing can stop it. Let’s turn back to my new Friend. I have to tell you guys, this amp is a killer, KILLER. During past week I have being trying four different kinds of speakers. Unfortunately none of them really fit to the Zen. The most compatible have been pair of Sinclair Audio 260T but was still not enough power handling coming from Torii. I couldn’t ever turn up the volume more than first quarter. Since my speakers are not good enough, I cannot really start saying poems about this fabulous Amplifier. Now I must start to sale my old speakers and look for something seriously matching with my Zen.In my last words of this letter I want to say BIG THAHNKS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF DECWARE Co. and all of You Dear Members of this Blog and Forum. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 and please accept me as a new fellow of that whole big Family.Regards Pit

Happy days Pit. Welcome! Enjoy your recovery with your new pal! And of course, the Decware line of speakers naturally match very well with Decware amps, and like the amps, they are seriously reasonably priced for the sound.

Hello Everybody,I have got a questions and maybe someone could help me to find out answers, Please?What is better configuration:1) tube preamp + solid state power ampor2)solid state preamp + tube power ampThxPit

Over the years I've seen most people say "tubed preamp and solid state power amp" as the answer to that question.

I don't really find that satisfying. I need those power tubes in my system. Not that any solid state preamp will make a tubed power amp sing, but a really good one paired with a compatible tube amp I like a hair better than a tubed preamp into a solid state amp.

Pit, this is a very difficult question to answer. IMO, there's really no straight answer. It depends on the synergy across components, especially between the preamp and amp. I had the same dilemma and decided for what Lon just suggested, a tube integrated amp.

If you're looking for tube sound (whatever your idea of what that is), there's no better approach (unless you want to go for the all-tube components setup). The internet is full of contradictory opinions on this matter. In the end, what counts is the design quality of the gear and the synergy among its components.

Speakers probably have much relevance in this issue. IMO, the first thing to look at, is the synergy between speakers and amp. Then you can fine-tune with other components (preamp, cables, etc.) Assuming that has been checked (and since you want tube 'sound' this amp has to be tubed), then you may want to consider a preamp.

If the preamp (line-stage) you're considering is a very neutral, transparent solid state design, chances are it will enhance the tube amp that makes your speakers sing. If not, consider a good integrated tube amp that works well with your speakers.

In audio, as you can see, there's nothing straightforward. I'm not an expert by any means, but after much research and support from this and other forums, I think Lon's advice is sound (no pun intended!) Good luck!

Thank You Guys. Thanks a lot. Above question (which setup could be better) was regarding to my second, video set. I've got that oldie Rotel RA 1412, that Integra was made in 1976, same as me This is very good unit, can works in class A and AB. Very clean and fast sound with proper sondstage but by the end of that description is little bit dry (no juice)So I decided already and purchased another (oldie) class audio thirty preamp. I haven't chance to listen that duo yet, so hopefully that's going to work better than before.Pit